No access to edu or health for 200 mn Indian kids

AROUND 206 million children in the country lack access to one of the six basic services— education, health, housing, nutrition, clean water and sanitation—which impact the quality of life and opportunities, said the UNICEF report released on Thursday.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @New Delhi

The State of the World’s Children 2025: Ending Child Poverty-Our Shared Imperative said that of 206 million children, less than a third or 62 million, lack access to two or more basic services.

Highlighting that India is the most populous country in the world and home to the largest young population, Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative, said one in five of the world’s children or approximately 460 million kids under 18 years of age, live here. “More than half of India’s 460 million children have access to basic services,” she said.